The Christian's Great Interest - Part One - The Trial of a Saving Interest in Christ. - Booklet 2 - Chapters III & IV

Extract

The Christian’s Great Interest

Part One: The Trial of a Saving Interest in Christ
Booklet Two — Chapters III & IV
William Guthrie

Chapter III
Evidences of a Believing State

We come now to speak of some more clear and sure marks by which men may discover their gracious state and interest in Christ. The first thing whereby men may know it is, their closing with Christ in the gospel wherein He is held forth. This is believing, or faith, which is the condition of the covenant: “It is of faith, that it might be by grace” (Rom. 4:16). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). Now, although, in propriety of speech, it is hard to prove an interest by faith, it being one very interest in Him; yet the heart’s closing with Christ Jesus is so discernible in itself, that we may well place it amongst the marks of a gracious state: and if a man can make out this, that he believeth on and in Christ Jesus, he thereby proves a very true interest in Him. I. Mistakes as to what faith is

Many object to this as a mark, upon one of these three grounds: 1. Some conceive faith to be a difficult, mysterious thing, hardly attainable. To these I say, Do not mistake: faith is not so difficult as many apprehend it to be. I grant true faith in the lowest degree is the gift of God, and above the power of flesh and blood; for God must draw men to Christ. “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” (John 6:44). “Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ to believe on Him” (Phil. 1:29). Yet it were a reflection upon Christ, and all He hath done, to say it were a matter of insuperable difficulty; as is clear: “The righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? that is, to bring Christ down from above; or, Who shall descend into the deep? that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is, the word of faith which we preach, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be …